A GATSBY-THEMED WEDDING WITH A BRIDE THAT DOUBLES AS A FRIEND, A FIRST TOUCH IN THE ADORATION CHAPEL, AND A TEARY-EYED GROOM
Brian and Bri met on a dating app and went out for a drink just three days after they matched. Bri wasn’t sure how she felt about their date until Brian walked her to her car (he walked on the gentlemanly side of the sidewalk). Bri says he made her feel like she didn’t have to be ‘on’, that he just “made life simpler.” Brian says, “I could see a future with her from the start, and I am so grateful that we are getting to live that future.” It was so sweet to photograph their St. Ambrose Catholic Wedding, at the very place Bri and my husband worked side by side in youth ministry for 5 years. Also, where I helped out on countless worship nights, high school retreats, and youth groups when my husband and I were first married.
There were a lot of sentimental elements of Bri’s look for her wedding day, and honestly I’m a big fan of that. Her veil was made out of her mom’s wedding dress, which was also her maternal grandmother’s by Dawn Marie Thurston at Midnite Sews What. And her string of pearls was from a long-standing birthday tradition: on every birthday her grandmother would give her 4 pearls at-a-time. Then on Bri’s 18th birthday, they were all strung together to make her beautiful necklace.
Bri is incredibly steadfast and a good, solid friend. I am so lucky to have formed a friendship with her while I lived in Minnesota. After everyone was ready, Bri and Brian met up in the Adoration Chapel at St. Ambrose. They had a first touch and some special time with Jesus before their wedding ceremony.
THE WEDDING MASS
Now onto the Mass: a beautiful witness of authentic Christian marriage, where Bri and Brian were a tool for witness and evangelization.
The fog on this day was really beautiful, and gave a nice soft light for all of the portraits. Oftentimes, couples worry about “bad weather” on their wedding day. But after 13 years of experience, I’m really comfortable with anything Mother Nature throws at us!
The reception was at the Double Tree in downtown St. Paul. The black decorations gave a very clean, high-class look with small pops of red. Bri and Brian had a last dance to Love Story by Taylor Swift with all of their guests. The dance floor was packed with countless youth group kids-turned adults and my little family who also got to attend as guests!
I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU BRI & BRIAN!!
Vendors
Ceremony: St. Ambrose Catholic Church
Reception: Double Tree St. Paul
Photographer: Nikayla & Co.
Bridal Gown: Our Shop Bridal
Veil: Dawn Marie Thurston at Midnite Sews What
Reception Shoes: Chacos
Makeup: Abby Sorenson
DJ: Midwest Sound
